巡る

• Reading: めぐる
• Romaji: meguru
• Kanji breakdown: 巡 (jun/megu) — to go around, to make a circuit, to patrol
• Pronunciation: /me.ɡɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To go around; to travel in a circuit; to revolve; to concern or relate to (a topic or issue).

A Group 1 (godan) verb with two main uses. Physically it means to make a round trip or tour (名所を巡る, to tour famous spots). Figuratively — and very commonly in N1 texts — it means 'concerning' or 'surrounding' a topic, as in 〜をめぐる議論 (the debate surrounding ~). This postpositional figurative use is a hallmark of formal written Japanese.

Examples

1. 世界遺産を巡る旅に出かける計画を立てた。 I made plans to go on a trip touring World Heritage sites.
2. 遺産相続をめぐって兄弟間で激しい争いが起きた。 A fierce dispute broke out among the siblings over the inheritance.
3. 季節は巡り、またあの花の時期がやってきた。 The seasons have come full circle, and the time for those flowers has arrived again.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, disputes, nature, formal writing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 巡 depicts going around an area. Related to 巡回 (patrol) and 巡礼 (pilgrimage), all involving circular movement through space or time.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal